Angel named River Days Chairman

At a recent organizational meeting of Portsmouth River Days Inc., Dr. Tim Angel was named General Chairman of the festival for 2014. Angel will proceed 2013 festival chairman Trent Williams.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Times, Angel said the River Days Committee asked him to return as chairman.

“The festival has some issues we need to address,” Angel said. “The committee asked me if I would come back if the position opened back up. I said I would come back for a year or two and try to straighten things out and that’s what I’m there to do.”

According to released information from the organization, “Dr. Angel has been involved with The Portsmouth River Days previously for 14 years, having held the President and General Chairman position for 12 years. He left the festival in 2009. During his previous River Days involvement he was instrumental in rebuilding the festival during the early 1990s and bringing the first national rock and roll entertainment groups to the riverfront which included names like Kansas, Starship, Dr. Hook, and 38 Special.”

Angel serves as the Health Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer at the Ross County Health District, co-owner of Patsy’s Inn Restaurant in Portsmouth and President Pro Tempore of the Portsmouth City Board of Health.

As a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Angel serves as a lay Eucharistic Minister and Chairman of the Evangelism Commission.

When asked about plans or ideas for the 2014 festival Angel said, “I have some ideas and some thoughts, but it is early in the game and we are just now starting to reorganize while getting our thoughts together for next year.”

He acknowledged there are some things in the works for next years festival, but they can not be talked about yet.

“We’re moving ahead, we’re full steam ahead right now. People can absolutely look forward to a fantastic festival next year. I want to see some positive changes and we’ll continue to bring the best that we can to the city,” Angel said.

According to released information from the organization, “Installations of new board members were Teresa Bratton, John Paul Gartin, Stan Tackett, and Julia McGraw who will join current members, Robin Honaker, Bev Shaw, Ken Young, and Kip Pennington. In addition to Angel being elected to serve as President, other officers are Stan Tackett, Vice President, Teresa Bratton, Secretary, and Bev Shaw, Treasurer. John Gartin was appointed by Angel to serve as Vice General Chairman for River Days 2014 and Kelli Richardson as Secretary for the general committee. Other Chair appointments will be announced at a later date.”

The Portsmouth River Days festival is held annually beginning the Thursday before Labor Day and runs through Labor Day Monday.

River Days is held on the riverfront of Portsmouth and has run continuously for the past 51 years.

Features of the festival include free nightly entertainment on the riverfront sound stage, the grand parade, Miss River Days Queens Pageant, arts and crafts, midway rides, and more.

For more information about the River Days Festival visit www.portsmouthriverdays.org or find them on Facebook.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Wayne on Twitter @WayneallenPDT.